Nestle confirms full-year guidance as Q1 sales barely rise

BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — Consumer goods giant Nestle saw sales
barely rise in the first three months of 2017 but confirmed its
guidance for the year, including a rise in restructuring costs.

The Vevey, Switzerland-based company said sales in the quarter
rose 0.4 percent 21 billion Swiss francs ($21.07 billion).
Underlying sales, which exclude the impact of acquisitions, were
up 2.3 percent, with emerging markets doing far better than
developed markets. Consumer demand in the Americas, in
particular, was soft.

CEO Mark Schneider said Thursday he was "encouraged by the growth
in Asia and the resilience of consumer spending in Europe" and
added that Nestle had made good progress in its efforts to boost
growth and keep a lid on costs.